Fire-extinguisher system.



R. L. C'OONEY. FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM,

APPLICATION FILED FEB.21, 19m.

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

All/01mg.

ROBERT L. COONEY, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. as, 101W.

Application filed. February 21, 1914. Serial N 0. 820,311.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Ronnn'r L. GooNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguisher Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in stationary fire extinguisher systems.

The object of the invention is to provide a system which, like the system shown, for example, in my prior Patent No. 1,075,283, of Oct. 8, 1913, may be originally charged with air or gas under pressure and is automatically operable consequent to a reduction of pressure inthe distributing pipe, but which admits of the use of emergency operating devices in case of the absence of the charging pressure above referred to and may be set in operation through the intermediary of said devices, either by a sudden increase of the pressure in the distributing pipe, or by a sudden decrease of such pressure.

The drawing illustrates the invention in connection with a chemical mixing system and comprises: Figure 1, a longitudinal sectional view showing the normal relation of the parts; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the system in course of operation; and Fig. 3, a detailperspective view showing certain connections for operating the acid bottle.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The system shown in the drawings comprises a tank 1 which is to be partially filled with an alkaline solution, an invertible acid bottle which discharges its contents into the tank 1, a distributing pipe 3 which leads from the tank and is equipped with the usual leaders or laterals (not shown) having the sprinkler heads or distributing valves, and a pipe 4: arranged within the tank 1 and, in effect, forming an internal extensionof the distributing pipe.

The acid bottle 2 has at its sides triangular trunnions 5 which project through openings 6 insuitable supporting brackets 7, the openings 6 having fiat bases and the flat horizontal faces of the trunnions 5 normally engaging upon these flat bases. The trunnions 5 which, in combination with the brackets constitute the sole means for supporting the bottle in an upright position, are

relatively narrow in order that the inversion of the acid bottle may be readily initiated.

The inversion of the acid bottle is effected through certain intermediate connections, by the movement of a plunger 8 which works in a cylinder 9. This cylinder, in the present embodiment, is virtually a part of the distributing pipe and forms a direct connection between the pipes 3 and 4:. The plunger 8 is mounted on a rod 10 which projects through an opening in the inner end of the cylinder or, more exactly, in the elbow coupling between the cylinder and the pipe 4:.

Various connections may be employed intermediate the rod 10 and the acid bottle for the purposes in view, and those illustrated in the drawing are to be regarded merely by way of example. The acid bottle at its upper end is provided with a pivotally mounted yoke 11 and with a lug 12 against which the yoke normally rests. The yoke 11 is provided at its center with a downward projection 18 and is preferably weighted above the projection, as at 14. The rod 10 is provided on its free end with an upward projection 15 which is normally disposed to engage the rear face of the projection 13.

' The plunger 8 has a normal position approximately midway of the length of the cylinder 9 and is movable by pressure toward either end-of the cylinder, its movements from its normal position being limited by stop flanges 16. The pressures in the distributing pipe and the upper portion of the tank are normally equal and may be atmospheric or, following out the principles described in my said Patent No. 1,075,288, greater than atmospheric,

e. the system may be initially charged with pressure to any desired degree. Where a charging or static pressure is used, the space 8 between the piston 8 and the cylinder 9 formed by the loose fit of the piston 8 in the cylinder 9, will compensate for leakage, and thus serve to keep the pressures in the distributing pipes and the tank normally equal, according to the principle disclosed in my Patent No. 1,075,283.

When the system is originally charged with pressure and a sprinkler head or distributing valve is opened, the pressure in the distributing pipe will be suddenly vented and the operative movement of the plunger 8 will be outward, 2'. e. away from the acid bottle. "When there is merely atmospheric'pressure in the system, due to a failure to use a charging pressure, or by reason of a defective joint to the complete leakage of the charging pressure, the operative movement of the plunger 8 may be either outward or inward, according to whether the emergency device connected to the distributing pipe operates on the suction or blowing principle. An emergency device operating on the suction principle and which, when applied to the present sys tem, will cause an outward movement of the plunger, is illustrated in Fig. 2 of my Patent No. 1,075,014, of Oct. 8, 1913. As an example of an emergency device operating on the blowing principle, and which, when applied to the present system will cause an inward movement of the plunger, the well known valve eontrolledcompressed air bottle may be mentioned. As these devices per se form no part of the present invention, their illustration is deemed unnecessary.

When the plunger moves outwardly the projection 15 engages the projection 13 of the yoke 11 and the plunger thereby pulls the bottle toward the left (the drawings only being considered) as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the yoke 11 of its own accord ultimately disengaging the projection 15 at a period of the movement of the acid bottle when the latter has passed beyond its center of gravity. When the plunger moves inwardly, the end of the rod 10 engages the neck of-the acid bottle and the plunger thereby pushes the bottle toward the right (the drawings only being considered) as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the lug 12 carrying the yoke 11 free of the projection 15.

It will be understood that no specific description herein contained is intended to put any limitation upon the scope of the appended claims which does not inhere in the language thereof.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a distributing pipe leading therefrom, the distributing pipe and the tank both containing elastic fluid pressure of normally equal degree, fire extinguisher agent supply means including a movable controlling element arranged within the tank, a cylinder connected to the distributing pipe and in communication therewith, an operating element movable lengthwise of said cylinder, the operating element being movable in either direction from its normal position by the action of elastic fluid pressure against a face" thereof, accordingly as the pressure in the distributing pipe is increased or decreased relatively to the pressure in the tank, and connections between the operating element and the controlling element whereby a movement of the former in either direction the tank, a cylinder connected to the distributing pipe and in communication therewith, an operating element movable lengthwise of said cylinder, the operating element being movable in either direction from its normal position by the action of the elastic fluid pressure against a face thereof, accordingly as the pressure in the distributing pipe is increased or decreased relatively to the pressure in the tank, and connections between the operating element and the acid bottle whereby a movement of the former in either direction produces an operative movement of the latter.

3. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a distributing pipe leading therefrom, the distributing pipe and the tank both containing elastic fluid pressure of normally equal degree, an acid bottle having triangular trunnions, brackets supporting the acid bottle and upon which the trunnions engage to normally hold the acid bottle in an upright position, a cylinder connected to the distributing pipe and in communication therewith, a plunger movable lengthwise of said cylinder, the plunger being movable in either direction from its normal position by the action of elastic fluid pressure against a face thereof, accordingly as the pressure in the distributing pipe is increased or decreased relatively to the pressure in the tank, and connections between the plunger and the acid bottle whereby a movement of the former in either direction produces an operative movement of the latter.

4:. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a. distributing pipe leading therefrom, the distributing pipe and the tank both containing elastic fluid pressure of normally equal degree, an acid bottle having triangular trunnions, brackets supporting the acid bottle and upon which the trunnions engage to normally hold the acid bottle in an upright position, a cylinder connected to the distributing pipe and in communication therewith, a plunger movable lengthwise of said cylinder, the plunger being movable in either direction from its normal position by the action of elastic fluid pressure against a face thereof, accordingly as the pressure in the distributing pipe is increased or decreased relatively to the pressure in the tank, and connections between the plunger and the acid bottle whereby a movement of the former in either direction produces an operative movement of the latter, the connections comprising a rod which carries the plunger and which projects beyond the cylinder into the tank, a yoke pivotally mounted upon the upper end of the acid bottle, a lug upon which the yoke normally rests, and projections provided on the yoke and plunger respectively, the projection on the yoke normally engaging over the projection on the plunger.

5. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a distributing pipe leading therefrom, fire extinguisher agent supply means including a movable controlling element mounted in equilibrium in the tank, a fluid pressure actuated operating means for said element operative relatively thereto and to which a suction or blowing fluid pressure impulse is transmitted from a source external to the tank by the distributing pipe, said operating means being operable by either of said suction or blowing pressure impulses as transmitted thereto by the dis tributing pipe.

6. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a distributing pipe leading therefrom, an invertible acid bottle mounted in equilibrium in the tank, a fluid pressure actuated operating means for said acid bottle operatively related thereto and to which either a suction or blowing fluid pressure impulse is transmitted from a source external to the tank by the distributing pipe, said operating means being operable by either of said suction or blowing pressure impulses as transmitted thereto by the distributing pipe.

7. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a single means for transmitting a suction or blowing fluid pressure impulse from a source external to the tank, fire extinguisher agent supply means including a movable controlling element mounted in equilibrium in the tank and operating means for said element operable by either a suction or blowing fluid pressure impulse transmitted thereto by said first named means.

8. A fire extinguisher system comprising a tank, a single means for transmitting a suction or blowing fluid pressure impulse from a source external to the tank, an invertible acid bottle mounted in equilibrium in the tank and operating means for sald. acid bottle operable by either suction or blowing fluid pressure impulse transmitted thereto by said first named means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT L. COONEY.

Witnesses:

R. L. CAMPBELL, T. M. ABBOTT.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

